Word Origin & History

1560s, "arrangement for a distribution of prizes by chance," from Italian lotteria, from lotto "lot, portion, share," from same root as Old English hlot (see lot). Cf. Middle French loterie, from Middle Dutch loterje, from lot (n.).

Example Sentences forlottery

We put into a lottery for a beefsteak pudding, and it is impossible to say what we may get.

It was at the time when the Chamber was asked to authorise the issue of lottery stock.

If he could, publishing would be less of a lottery than it is.

Every unbroken colt is like a ticket in a lottery; it may be easy, or it may be a tartar.

The lottery was to be publicly drawn the first of February, 1750.

He had bought a lottery ticket with the hopes of the prize of 5000, but—blank!

She may, or may not, have dramatic ability; like everything else in life, there is a lottery about it.

The man actually had the luck to win the second prize in the Manilla lottery.

Miss Kate, then, has drawn the prize in the lottery of life?

I saw at once that they were talking about a lottery, but why were they disputing?